Monday Morning at Vineyard Golf Club

After a late evening out, President Obama headed out Monday morning to Vineyard Golf Club, arriving at the Edgartown course at 11:15 a.m.

The President was joined on the course by Cy Walker, Alonzo Mourning, and Marty Nesbitt. The weather remained warm on the Vineyard with temperatures in the low 80s.

The golf game was over about five hours later, and the motorcade headed back to Chilmark at 4:17 p.m. A few hours later, the President headed back out to speak at a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton at the Chilmark home of Hank and Carol Goldberg.


 

Surf's Up

The Obamas headed to the south shore of the Vineyard Tuesday afternoon for an afternoon at the beach with family and friends. The outing took place at an unidentified, private Atlantic-facing beach off the Edgartown Great Pond on a sparkling August day with temperatures in the 80s and light sea breezes.


 

Time at the Beach and Evening In

After a busy few days filled with evenings out, golf games, and a fundraiser, the First Family headed to a south shore beach Tuesday afternoon.

The presidential motorcade departed headed out at 1:18 p.m. and arrived shortly after at a private beach off Pohogonot Road in Edgartown. The White House said the First Family was spending time with friends on a warm, mostly sunny day with a high in the low 80s.

The motorcade left the beach at 5:23 p.m. The President was wearing a black baseball hat as the motorcade sped down Edgartown-West Tisbury Road.

The President arrived back home in Chilmark at about 5:45 p.m., where he would spend the rest of the night at the residence off North Road.


 

Dinner Out

After a long afternoon at the beach the Obamas headed home, then out again, this time a few miles down North Road to State Road restaurant for dinner with friends. The West Tisbury restaurant owned by Jackson and Mary Kenworth is a favorite presidential stop. The Obamas were back at home in Chilmark by just after 10:30 p.m.


 

Back to Vineyard Golf Club, and Louisiana Update

After a break from golf Tuesday, the President headed back to Vineyard Golf Course on Wednesday for an afternoon of golf.

The motorcade arrived at the Edgartown course at around 12:45 p.m and departed at 6:04 p.m.. The President's golf partners included Marty Nesbitt, Alonzo Mourning, and Cy Walker.

Wednesday's golf game was a rematch; the same foursome hit the links at Vineyard Golf Club on Monday.

According to White House deputy press secretary Jen Friedman, President Obama spoke earlier Wednesday with Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Craig Fugate about flooding in Louisiana.

FEMA has been on the ground to respond to the flooding crisis that began over the weekend in the southern part of the state. According to The New York Times, the flooding took place after rainfall that is likely seen only once every thousand years. Eleven people have been killed and tens of thousands rescued.

According to the statement, the President was briefed about resources that have been provided for response and recovery. He directed Mr. Fugate to use all resources available to assist in the response, and to keep him updated about the ongoing situation.

Earlier this week, the President spoke with Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards and approved a major disaster declaration for the affected parishes in Louisiana. More than 70,000 people have registered for individual assistance under the disaster declaration and more than 9,000 people have filed flood insurance claims.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will visit the impacted regionon Thursday.


 

Rainy Day at the Golf Course; Evening at Home

A rainy forecast did not deter President Obama from heading to the golf course Wednesday morning. The President arrived at Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown around 10:30 a.m.; shortly afterward a light rain shower began.

The President's golf partners Wednesday were retired basketball player Alonzo Mourning, former Celtics star Ray Allen, and investor and seasonal resident Glenn Hutchins.

About five hours later the motorcade headed back to Chilmark, where the President will remain for the rest of the gray day.

The White House announced earlier Wednesday that the President will squeeze in some political business during his two weeks on the Vineyard; Mr. Obama is scheduled to attend a Democratic National Committee fundraiser next Monday at a private home in Chilmark.


 

Dinner at Jimmy Seas


Downtown Oak Bluffs was hopping Wednesday night as President Obama and the First Lady headed out for dinner at Jimmy Seas Pan Pasta in the heart of downtown — where thousands of people were gathering at the Camp Ground for the annual Grand Illumination Night.

The presidential motorcade rolled into Oak Bluffs just before 8 p.m., when the community sing was scheduled to start at The Tabernacle. The President and Mrs. Obama were greeted with sizable crowds as they headed to Jimmy Seas, which is located on Kennebec avenue.

Former owner James J. Cipolla opened Jimmy Seas in 1994, and the restaurant became well-known for serving pasta served out of the pan in which it was cooked. The restaurant's clientele included Keith Richards, Beyonce, and the Clintons.

The restaurant was sold at a foreclosure auction in 2014 to William Craffey, and he and his business partner Lisa Huff renovated and reopened the restaurant under the same name. The menu still features big helpings of pan-cooked pasta, lobster fra diablo, frutti di mare and zuppa di pesce.

The presidential motorcade left Oak Bluffs at about 9:40 p.m., driving through streets lined with Illumination Night summer revelers with their phones raised, hoping to get a glimpse of the famous visitors.


 

Preparations Underway for President's Summer Visit

As the busy summer seasons begins on Martha's Vineyard, preparations for President Obama's seventh summer visit are also in full swing. The White House has yet to officially confirm the presidential visit, but the Coast Guard, Martha's Vineyard Airport, and other organizations have said planning and preparation for an August visit are well underway. The President is expected to stay once again at the Chilmark home owned by Joanne Hubschman. The Obama family has rented the house off North Road for the last two summers as well.


 

Thursday Golf at Mink Meadows

President Obama switched up his golf routine a bit Thursday and headed to Mink Meadows, a semi-private nine-hole golf course on West Chop. The motorcade arrived just before 1 p.m.

The President's foursome for the day includes retired basketball player Alonzo Mourning, former Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen, and Cy Walker, a friend and adviser Valerie Jarrett's cousin. The two basketball players also joined the President on the course at Vineyard Golf Club on Wednesday; Mr. Walker frequently joins the President for golf rounds on the Vineyard.

Earlier in the day, the President and daughter Malia took a walk near the Chilmark home where they are staying. The President also released his summer playlists on Twitter. A 19-song daytime playlist includes songs by Wale, Jay Z feat. Pharrell, Aloe Blacc, the Beach Boys, and Janelle Monae. A 20-song playlist of songs for the nighttime includes selections from Esperanza Spalding, Chance the Rapper, Fiona Apple, Floetry, and D'Angelo.


 

Thursday at Farm Neck

The President returned to Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs late Thursday morning for another round of golf.

The motorcade arrived at the golf club at 11:40 a.m. His golf partners Thursday were comedian and actor Larry David, former UBS president Robert Wolf, and Jonathan Lavine.


 

White House Confirms President's Vineyard Vacation

President Obama is scheduled to arrive Saturday, August 6 for a two-week Vineyard vacation, the White House has confirmed.

The visit will the be the seventh and final summer trip during his presidency. The First Family is scheduled to arrive Saturday and depart on Sunday, August 21, according to a White House spokesman.

There are no public events scheduled during the visit, the White House said.


 

Dinner Out in Edgartown

The President and First Lady headed to Edgartown Thursday night for dinner with friends at Detente in downtown Edgartown. Detente is billed as a modern seasonal kitchen. It is owned by Suzanna and Kevin Crowell, who also own The Sweet Life Cafe in Oak Bluffs, another frequent dinner destination for the Obamas.

Crowds gathered along Winter street and down to North Water street, which was lined with police and government cars and Secret Service and police officers.

Earlier in the day, the President spent about five hours playing 18 holes of golf at Mink Meadows Golf Course in Vineyard Haven.


 

Beach Road for Dinner

After a day on the golf course, President Obama headed to Beach Road for dinner Thursday. The President and First Lady arrived at the restaurant in Vineyard Haven just before 8 p.m. When the Obamas left at 11:20 p.m. a small crowd lined the street for about a block around the restaurant, hoping for glimpse.

This is the second time the President has visited the restaurant, which opened last year. Beach Road is owned by Jackson and Mary Kenworth, who also own State Road Restaurant, another Obama favorite.


 

Wheels Up for Martha's Vineyard

The First Family is en route to Martha's Vineyard to begin their two-week family vacation on the Island.

President Obama, the First Lady, and daughters Malia and Sasha left the White House to board Marine One on the south lawn. Marine One took off at 12:41 p.m., bound for Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. There the family boarded Air Force One for the flight to Cape Cod and the Vineyard for a 1:03 p.m. departure.

Sasha and Malia were chatting with each other as they boarded first, according to pool reports, and Mr. and Mrs. Obama followed. The President was wearing slacks and a button-down shirt, and the First Lady wore a blue dress with red piping.

Prior to the First Family's arrival at Joint Base Andrews, the Obamas' dogs, Bo and Sunny, were taken for a pre-flight walk.

This is the President and First Family's seventh and final summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard during the Obama presidency.

Military and government aircraft were seen coming in and out of Martha's Vineyard Airport this week to prepare for the visit, as seen below.


 

Back to Farm Neck and Summer Reading List

Third time's a charm Friday as President Obama arrived to play golf at Farm Neck Golf Club, his third visit to the Oak Bluffs course since he arrived Saturday.

The President's golf partners on Friday are Los Angeles Clippers player Chris Paul and his brother C.J. Paul and former UBS president Robert Wolf. It is a muggy day with sun and blue sky occassionally visible behind cloud cover.

Yesterday the President shared what he's listening to this summer, and today the White House released what the President is reading. The titles are Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, and Seveneves by Neal Stephenson.


 

Family Tradition: Fireworks

As evening descended Friday, the presidential motorcade whisked from Chilmark to Oak Bluffs again, this time for the annual fireworks display over Ocean Park. By tradition, the Obamas watch the fireworks from Valerie Jarrett's rented home. The fireworks mark the turn toward the end of summer on the Vineyard, and the Obama vacation is also nearly at an end. They are scheduled to leave Sunday.


 

First Family Arrives on the Vineyard

President Obama, the First Lady, and the daughters Sasha and Malia arrived at Martha's Vineyard Airport aboard Marine One at about 2:37 p.m. Saturday, a muggy, breezy, overcast day. The President and First Lady greeted some well-wishers gathered at the airport before the Presidential motorcade, some 25 vehicles long, departed from the airport towards the family's rental house off North Road in Chilmark. The motorcade arrived around 3:09 p.m., and the White House said the President will remain in Chilmark for the rest of the day.


 

Another Evening in Edgartown

President Obama and the First Lady headed back to Edgartown Friday night, paying a visit to friends in Katama and then having dinner at L'etoile in downtown Edgartown.

The Obamas arrived at L'etoile just before 8:30 p.m and departed at about 10:09 p.m. The contemporary French restaurant is on the corner of North Water and Winter streets, a stone's throw from Detente, where the couple ate the previous night.

Chef and owner Michael Brisson has been cooking on the Vineyard for more than 30 years, and has experience cooking for Presidents; he baked President Bill Clinton's 51st birthday cake in the shape of the Edgartown Lighthouse.

Earlier in the evening the first couple visited the home of businessman Robert Wolf and his wife Carol on Slough Cove Road in Katama.

Mr. Wolf and the President played a round of golf at Farm Neck Golf Club Friday afteernoon with basketball player Chris Paul and his brother C.J.

Mr. Wolf is the former president of UBS Investment Bank. He is now the CEO of 32 Advisors, and a member of the board for the Obama Foundation.


 

Afternoon at the Beach and Dinner Date in Edgartown

The Obama family headed to the beach on Saturday, their final full day of their Vineyard vacation.

The family arrived at a beach off Pohogonot Road in Edgartown around 1:30 p.m. After spending the afternoon at the south shore beach with friends, the First Family departed at about 5:30 p.m.

Later in the evening the President and First Lady went back to Edgartown for dinner at Chesca's on North Water street. The sidewalk outside Chesca's was blocked off with yellow tape, and the summer crowd lined the street.

Chesca's, a restaurant "marrying gourmet and comfort food on Martha's Vineyard," is owned by chefs Jo Maxwell and David Joyce. According to a meal ticket the restaurant posted on Facebook, the President's party ordered spinach salad, braised beef shortribs, and pappardelle bolognese, and creme caramel for dessert.

The couple arrived at 7:45 p.m and departed at 9:28 p.m. to head home for one last night in Chilmark.


 

Sunday Tee Time at Farm Neck

Back on the Vineyard, back on the golf course. President Obama headed to Farm Neck Golf Course in Oak Bluffs on the first full day of the Obama family's summer vacation.

The motorcade left the Obamas' Chilmark rental home at 12:38 p.m. on a sunny day with temperatures in the low 80s. The motorcade passed by a "Welcome back, first family" sign and some onlookers during the trip to the golf course.

The President's golf partners Sunday are NBA player Chris Paul, Cyrus Walker, and White House aide Joe Paulsen.

The Presidential motorcade travels down Edgartown-West Tisbury Road Sunday.


 

Beach Afternoon and a Visit with Friends

The First Family, like many on the Island, headed to the beach on Saturday, a hot and humid day on Martha's Vineyard.

The Obamas arrived at a private beach off Pohogonot Road in Edgartown just before 1 p.m, and departed about four hours later.

Later Saturday evening the President and Mrs. Obama traveled to Edgartown for the third night in a row. At 7:17 p.m. the Obamas arrived at the home of Glenn Hutchins off Katama Road.

Mr. Hutchins is an investor and often joins the President for golf on the Vineyard. He also donated $15 million to endow the Hutchins Center for African and African-American Research at Harvard. The center's annual forum on the Vineyard, led by Professor Henry Louis (Skip) Gates Jr., takes place this Thursday at the Whaling Church in Edgartown; the topic is Race and the Race to the White House.


 

Morning Walk

The President and First Lady are beginning their last day of vacation time on the Vineyard with a short walk on a trail near their house in Chilmark.

It's a clear, sunny day on the Island, 77 degrees at 11 a.m.


 

Dinner Down Island

The President and First Lady headed to Oak Bluffs Sunday night for dinner out at Down Island, a new restaurant on Kennebec avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. Obama arrived in Oak Bluffs at 7:44 p.m., greeted by onlookers on Circuit avenue, and left at about 11 p.m. The couple dined with family and friends, according to the White House.

Down Island opened earlier this summer; it is an upscale communal dining restaurant with a fixed $59 menu that changes weekly and is based on what is available locally. This week's menu features octopus with marble potato, ice lettuce, and bouillabaisse, Island-caught sea bass, roasted carrots, and chocolate pate.

Earlier in the day the President spent about five hours at Farm Neck Golf Club, also in Oak Bluffs, where he hit the links with Chris Paul, Cyrus Walker, and Joe Paulsen. The President wore a gray polo shirt and dark shorts.


 

Dinner at Red Cat

The First Family spent Saturday night out in Oak Bluffs, where they dined at the Red Cat Kitchen on Kennebec avenue. The presidential motorcade arrived in the downtown area at 8:39 p.m.

The restaurant is described as "soulful cuisine with a relaxed atmosphere." Chef and owner Ben deForest's menu Saturday included grilled ginger locally-caught wahoo with summer farms vegetable succotash, backyard grass-fed New York, strip, and locally-caught striped bass.

Baker Erica McCarron's dessert menu for the Obamas, which she posted on Instagram, included chocolate cupcakes with balsamic caviar filled strawberries, berry cobbler a la mode with cinnamon and sugar puff pastry stars, Mocha Hennessy cake with ice cream and Mocha Motts espresso, and butterscotch banana split waffles with Nutella sauce and cherry vanilla whip.

The Obamas headed back to Chilmark at about 10 p.m.


 

Once More to Farm Neck

President Obama is squeezing in one last golf game on the Vineyard. The President arrived at Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs at 12:14 p.m. for a game with partners Glenn Hutchins, Robert Wolf, and Cy Walker.

This is the President's 10th golf outing during his two-week vacation on the Island. For those keeping track, he has played six times at Farm Neck, three times at Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown, and once at Mink Meadows in Vineyard Haven.


 

Another Round of Golf

President Obama headed to the links again at Farm Neck on Monday, the second full day of his Vineyard vacation. His partners on this sunny day, with heat and humidity building in, are Steph Curry, Dell Curry and Cy Walker.

The Farm Neck Golf Club in Oak Bluffs, a public-private 18-hole course that hugs one end of Sengekontacket Pond, is a favorite presidential haunt.


 

After Midnight

Sunday was no day of rest for the Presidential entourage. After a morning at home in Chilmark that included a nature walk with his daughter, Mr. Obama ventured out to Farm Neck Golf Club for an afternoon on the links in stilfing heat and humidity. It was one of the hottest days of the summer on the Vineyard, with temperatures in the low 90s.

The President's golf foursome included Cy Walker, Alonzo Mourning, and Mercer Cook.

Golf over, the President headed back home for dinner.

Hours later, as a nearly full moon cast a silvery glow across an empty North Road, the motorcade was on the move again. The Obamas were headed down Island again, this time to a private party at Lola's in Oak Bluffs. The President and First Lady arrived at the Southern seafood restaurant on Beach Road well after 11 p.m. and they returned home at about 12:40 a.m., well after midnight.


 

First Family Departs

President Obama, the First Lady, and daughters Sasha and Malia left Martha's Vineyard Airport aboard Marine One at 6:18 p.m. Sunday, bringing their final vacation from the White House to an end.

The Obamas took a short ride over to the Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, where they boarded Air Force One and headed back to the capital at about 6:48 p.m. After a stop-over at Andrews Air Force Base, the Obamas arrived at the White House aboard Marine One at 8:35 p.m. Valerie Jarrett and Chynna Clayton, an aide to the First Lady, were with the family.

Vineyarders were gathered along the roadside in some parts of Chilmark and West Tisbury to wave goodbye to the departing family.

The weather forecast, presumably, bumped up the family's departure by several hours.


 

Quiet Day, In for the Night

Out for golf, home for dinner. That wrapped up the day for President Obama, who was home at his rented house on North Road in Chilmark by suppertime Monday following an afternoon at Farm Neck Golf Club. Streaky white clouds over the Elizabeth islands carried the promise of a pretty sunset.